The ever-bubbling cauldron of Hollywood gossip has concocted a scandalous bit of news involving Francis Ford Coppola, and the acclaimed filmmaker has raised more than a few eyebrows.
Reports have trickled in about the Academy Award-winning filmmaker’s questionable behavior with women on the set of his latest venture, Megalopolis. And with the film merely a couple of months away from its theatrical premiere, this certainly makes things complicated, to say the least.
Francis Ford Coppola’s “Unpleasant” Conduct Goes Viral
Earlier this year, a report via The Guardian shed light on some disconcerting information about Francis Ford Coppola’s behavior on the set of Megalopolis, a forthcoming sci-fi drama written, helmed, and produced by him.
A crew member told the outlet that Coppola, 85, made female extras – who happened to be topless – on the set uncomfortable by allegedly kissing them. He was apparently “trying to get them in the mood” for a bacchanalian nightclub scene – which features Furious 7 actress Nathalie Emmanuel -, the source divulged.
Now, Variety comes with fresh reports corroborating the same as a clip goes viral of The Godfather director trying to kiss young female extras on the movie set. The scene in question was shot last year in February at the Tabernacle in Atlanta.
Coppola’s unprofessional conduct was reported by various sources, with one stating that the industry goliath would interrupt the scene to kiss and hug several women. What’s more, he reportedly took a microphone and announced to everyone in the room, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
Fans Are Alarmed by Francis Ford Coppola’s Behavior
In a post by Discussing Film on X, fans have left a litany of reproaches for The Outsiders creator.
Darren Demetre, one of the executive producers of Megalopolis, provided an on-the-record statement about the director and screenwriter “giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players” to “inspire and establish the [night]club atmosphere” needed for that particular scene.
“I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project,” he said. Meanwhile, neither Coppola nor his spokesperson have passed any official comment regarding the clip that’s now making headlines.
Coppola had been married to Eleanor Coppola, his wife of over six decades who passed away in April this year. The two had also been creative partners in the professional arena with the late filmmaker directing an Emmy-winning documentary about the creation of her husband’s war classic, Apocalypse Now.
Megalopolis is set to release on September 27, 2024.
